Life Is Not A Series Of Tasks To Be Accomplished

Occasionally I come across something that is just for ME. It speaks right to my heart and awakens my Spirit so deep, so real, so alive.

I found this just now while prepping for some school things for tomorrow. But I feel paralyzed. Again, I needed this reminder.
I refuse to beat myself up about needing it. It's good. I welcome the reminder.

Here is the blog I am re-posting this from: http://a-pilgrims-heart.blogspot.com/

A golden note of misty light quietly slips through the velvet-black night; noisy birdsong dips and rolls through not-quite morning air. Into my slowly-waking heart, His whisper settles in me:


Life is not a series of tasks to be fulfilled.

It is to be lived and savoured, held close - filled with space and grace – space enough to respond to My call - no matter how inconvenient it may be when it comes.

Oh how well you know me, Father - even half awake you know my mind is already filled with things to do and achieve today, lists to check off. You know how easy it is for me to be structured, maybe even too rigid. How I feel happiest when my list all accomplished. Words that could almost define me - discipline, efficiency, focus...."Come on....time is ticking away", "Hurry up!".

But at the expense of what (or whom)? Are there feelings I have steam-rolled over, children I have nagged and harassed, precious moments I have failed to enjoy in order to finish the task?

Your words of encouragement flow through me - Life is for living:

When your son builds a fort and wants you to play even though you are in the middle of your devotions.

When your children need a snuggle just when you are desperately trying to answer all your long overdue emails.

To dance in the rain when you are supposed to be cooking dinner.

To watch a movie with the family even though they really should be in bed.

To take your time over a piece of work that you are all interested in even when the schedule tells us it's time to move on.

To lay on the floor and eat cookies, listening to music when the laundry needs doing.

Taking the day off to visit the museum or swim in the pool when there is still much to be done.

To sit and enjoy being with your husband, not rushing to put the kids to sleep.

To embrace life's bumps, surprises, mistakes and allow them to be fertiliser for learning and growth.


Life is for living not just for getting through or surviving.

Sometimes we just have to survive - I know that - I've lived it. But so much more is given to us; a life to embrace even with all its thorns and cut-glass edges. We may bleed but if we feel and live grateful and find peace in the small things, we'll find God: open-armed, smiling, delighting in us. In me. In you.

So today I pray -

" I surrender. I surrender my need to control, to have things run according to schedule, to count my worth by what I've achieved each day. I choose to live - not just survive. I want to learn to be."

As I open my eyes, I see a new day has dawned - brilliant blue streaked with fresh linen-white clouds, mellow golden morning-light dancing off the the tips of towering jade-green trees. I am reminded of this verse from His word:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3:22-24

Thankful for new mornings, I start today.

A secret

Did I draw you in with the hopes of hearing something juicey? Something personal? Something honest? Well, I will share two secrets with you. This is my first:

VegeGreens

That's right. My first secret is VegeGreens. I have been hiding it in a lot of things lately. The truth is that the Birtch Family has NOT been eating their vegetables. Fresh veggies have been rather intimidating to me lately. Washing, cutting, dicing, chopping. Don't get me wrong, I do it. Just not near as often as I once did, or should, or would like to. But enough "shoulding" on myself - I am grateful for VegeGreens!

My second secret: I can be kindof a control freak.

Phew, there I said it. It feels good to know the Truth though, doesn't it? It's an area I am working on and I will write more about that in the future (ie: flying on an airplane was TOTALLY uncomfortable for me because I was COMPLETELY out of control!)

One area that we are really working on is being careful to not over-parent. When good intentions go too far, you have a problem. I firmly believe that extremes of just about anything are not generally good for a person.

Like I said, more to come on this later, I promise! For now, let me show you
1) how too easy it is to be a control freak in the name of "common sense" and stifle your child's growth, creativity, imagination, enthusiasm and courage to try new things
2) how letting go is way more fun!

It was Thursday night, and I was alone with the kids for dinner (as per usual as Nathan works late twice a week). Sometimes I get in a funk with dinners. As of late, the kids have been a little more, hmmm, firm in their cuisine preferences (they've been a little picky lately).
I had planned to make souvlaki pitas - one of my hubby's favorites. I had picked up some 50% off pitas that I had put off making for two days. Needless to say, if I didn't use them that night, I was afraid that my good deal would turn into a bad, moldy, waste-of-a-deal. So I had to make them, but I knew they wouldn't go down little throats so well.

Then I looked at the pita and saw not a pita, but a PIZZA! "YES! I will let them make their own pizzas! They will love that!" I said to myself.

So I gathered various toppings into little jars for them to create with. Landon and I made the sauce (that's him in the above. Good technique, eh?)

I was right. They loved it. See...

Here are their creations:
Big one is for Olivia and Landon.
FINALLY - Olivia gets pizza with no sauce!
Little one, top right: Larissa's
Little one, bottom right: Daddy's (1/2 from 'Liv, 1/2 from Larissa)

Here's the crux of it all - did you notice what is on Larissa's? Can't tell? Look again.

Here.
It's strawberries.

Yes. Strawberries. You read that right.

She says to me, "MOMMY!" (with such intensity) "Can I put strawberries on my pizza?"

My initial response is of course, "What? You silly girl, did you just say strawberries?"
"Yes! Mmmmm that would be good" she tells me.
So I say, "I don't know if you'll like strawberries on pizza!"

Then catch myself. I'm doing it.
She wants to try something new and different. She wants to combine two of her favorite foods. Why would I stop her from that endeavor? Because I think it sounds disgusting? Seriously. I am the girl who loves to dip fries in frosties and eat cheese dorritos with cottage cheese and dill pickles (are we still friends? You think I'm sick now. That's ok).

"GO FOR IT!" I tell her. And then I change my song to be completely encouraging, supportive, excited for her new creation.

Guess what? She loved it.
And I didn't mind it.
And I loved watching her get excited about her idea and discovery.

Note to self reminder: Don't be afraid to try new things.
(but that's another story)

Family Day!

Family Day: a Sabbath for the Birtch Family. A much-needed day of rest and relaxation. Sure, we did some crafts, some painting, some fun cooking - but that's just part of life and what was relaxing to us that day! It wasn't a list of to-dos, but instead a list of to-want-to-dos!

The girls have been wanting to make new beds for their dollhouse with Daddy.
Here they are!

Olivia's design:

Larissa's creative touch:

I have had this shelf since I was a kid. It was natural wood, but I painted and stressed it for Olivia. She chose this special picture for it and her African lizard

When we got bunk beds, Olivia had a bit of a hard time saying goodbye to her old bed. I thought that painting a rainbow overhead might make it more fun and special to sleep under. I was right. She loves it!
(Notice the shelf and her letter O hanging?)

While I painted the bed, Nate distracted them with their own painting.
This is Landon's work of art.
He says it is a forest and animals.
Clever.

Then we pulled out the wii~ a good time had by all!
Bowling, tennis, running, climbing, kyaking. Even Landon was in on it!

Correction: Even the cat was in on it!

I love home-made pizza! Then everyone is happy.
Pinapple for Larissa, Landon, Daddy.

Loaded veggie for Mommy,
plain cheese and minor veggie for 'Liv.

And we made chocolate strawberries for dessert!
Mmmmmmmmmmmm

One thing is for sure. We love family day. And we love eachother!